Supply ordering apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automatic supply ordering system for electronically ordering a consumable component or replaceable part in a marking machine. The system provides electronic identification of a condition of a replaceable component and automatically electronically sends an offer to purchase a replacement part upon identification of a threshold condition.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.09/397,126, filed Sep. 16, 1999, the disclosure of which is totallyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an intelligent ordering system for replacementconsumable components in imaging and marking apparatus. Reference isalso made to co-pending continuation-in-part application, Ser. No.09/662,284, entitled, METHOD FOR SUPPLY ORDERING, filed concurrentlyherewith. The present application also relates to U.S. application Ser.No. 09/397,125, filed Sep. 16, 1999. The above applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many imaging machines including, for example, fax, copier, printer,scanner device, xerographic device, electrostatographic device generallyprovide user assistance that indicate one or more error conditions. Forexample, lights such as small LCD (liquid crystal display) oftenindicate a variety of error conditions. Typically, a user reads an errorcode from the LCD, looks up the error code in, a machine's user manual,and then calls the manufacturer's toll free help line for an explanationof the code or instructions on what to do to fix the error condition.

FIG. 1 depicts a typical machine 10 connected to a known computer 30over a bus 32. Machine 10 includes sensors 12 to detect conditions(e.g., paper tray empty). Sensors 12 and machine state flags 14 (e.g.,warm up or not ready) describe the state of the machine. Firmware 16reads the state of the machine and forms an error code number. A codehandler 22 of user interface 20 receives the error code and causes it tobe displayed on status monitor 24.

Various monitoring systems and machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,016,409; 6,106,088; 6,045,206; 6,000,773; 5,901,286; 5,809,375;5,802,420; 5,636,032; 5,572,292, 5,305,199; 5,283,613, 5,281,999;5,016,171; 4,961,088; and 4,496,237.

All documents cited herein, including the foregoing, are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for automatically orderingconsumable supplies for a marking apparatus.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided, an automated electronic order system including a consumablecomponent, sensor, processor and software logic system, andcommunications link. The automated electronic order system communicateswith the consumable component and predicts a future condition of theconsumable component. The communications link is associated with thesensor and the processor and software logic system. The sensor,processor and software logic system, and the communications linkinterrogate the one consumable component and, upon identifying aparticular condition of the consumable component, automaticallycommunicate an electronic inquiry or an electronic offer to purchase areplacement of the consumable component.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided, an imaging apparatus system including a consumable part,sensor, processor, communications system, and an output device. Thesystem identifies and electronically communicates a condition of theconsumable part. The output device electronically communicates thecondition of the consumable part to a user, supplier, or third party.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided, an imaging apparatus including a consumable part. Theconsumable part has a first condition upon installation, at least oneintermediate condition after use, and a third condition when areplacement of the consumable part is substantially necessary. Asoftware and sensor system electronically monitors the condition of theconsumable part; sends a signal relating to the condition of theconsumable part to a device; and electronically communicates an offer topurchase a consumable part at an occurrence of one of the firstcondition, intermediate condition, or third condition.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided, an imaging apparatus including a replaceable part, aprocessor, and a communications link. The processor includes logic tomonitor a condition of the replaceable part and initiates an electroniccommunication of an offer to purchase a replacement for the replaceablepart upon identification of a threshold condition in the replaceablepart.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided, a marking apparatus including a sensor and software systemthat electronically senses a condition in the device and electronicallycommunicates information relating to the condition to an address (URL,e-mail, facsimile, telephone, mail, etc.) defined by the condition. Thesensor and software system includes logic to initiate a purchase orderdefined by the condition.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided, an imaging apparatus including a development station andreplaceable parts. A sensor and software system electronically senses acondition in the replaceable part and electronically communicatesinformation relating to the condition to an address defined by thecondition. The sensor and software system includes identified indiciarelating to purchase information for the replaceable part and the logicthen automatically initiates an offer to purchase the replaceable part.The indicia includes at least one of a method of shipment, shippingaddress, phone number, address, method of payment, authorization code,and credit card account number. The imaging apparatus automaticallyelectronically communicates an offer to purchase a replacement part forthe replaceable part upon occurrence of a defined threshold condition.Additional contact information such as return electronic address andfacsimile number may also be included.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided, a cartridge for use in an electrostatographic apparatus. Thecartridge includes a housing and a sensor and software system includingprogrammed logic functions. The sensor and software system is associatedwith the housing. The sensor and software system electronicallyidentifies a present or future condition in the cartridge andelectronically communicates information relating to the identifiedcondition to an address defined by the condition. The sensor andsoftware system automatically offers to purchase a replacement for thecartridge upon identification of a threshold condition in the cartridge.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, wherein embodiments are shown and described, simply by wayof illustration contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will berealized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments,and its several details are capable of modification in various obviousrespects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, thedrawing and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a user interface of a known computerperipheral;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a user support system according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a view of a “home” screen display of an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a view of a “status window” of a screen display of anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a registration process of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a user support information update process ofthe invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an online purchase order process of theinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the principles and embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in connection with marking apparatus such aselectrostatographic and xerographic reproduction machines, and theirassociated peripherals, it should be understood that the presentinvention is not limited to that embodiment or to that application.Therefore, it should be understood that the principles of the presentinvention and embodiments extend to all alternatives, modifications, andequivalents thereof.

In FIG. 2, a computer 30 is connected to a modem 34 to convert computerbinary information to analog telephone signals. Computer 30 may be astand alone device or may be incorporated in a marking device such as amachine or peripheral 10. In addition, the marking device user may beconnected to the Internet 36. Computer 30 has an Internet browserinstalled and operating thereon (i.e., a software module that runs onthe computer to interface the user to the Internet). Internet 36 accessmay be through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Typically, an ISPmaintains a point of presence (POP) in the user's local telephone systemto give the user a local telephone number to call. In this case, themodem 34 is a telephone modem, and under user control the browser causesmodem 34 to place a call to the POP. The POP is linked to the IPS's mainservice center by trunk lines. The ISP's main service center has a bankof modems (not shown) to reconvert the analog telephone signals intocomputer binary information, and a computer (also not shown) to connectto the Internet backbone (a digital or binary communications system,also not specifically shown). The Internet backbone includes an Internetpier (i.e., terminal) where properly formatted digital signals from theISPs main service center are launched onto the Internet backbone. Theuser, through his browser, may access any site on the Internet based ona URL. Everything from the POP to the Internet backbone is covered bythe representation of Internet 36 in FIG. 2. Other communication systemsand protocols may also be used to link the system to a user, supplier,vendor, manufacturer, or third party. For example, ISDN (integratedservices digital network), DSL (digital subscriber line), and cabletelephone systems may be used.

In addition, a user may communicate with a server 40 that is connectedto the Internet through a modem 38. Modem 38 may be connected to theInternet either directly or indirectly through an ISP. The server 40 mayperform a variety of functions, for example, a manufacturer may usetheir server 40 for registration of a new peripheral or publishinginformation about the peripheral.

A peripheral 10 (e.g., fax, copier, printer and scanner device) may besold to the user with installation software. The user may physicallyconnect peripheral 10 to a computer 30, and then load and execute theinstallation software. In addition, the installation software may beloaded on the computer using an application program executed directly bythe user to interact with the peripheral, and one or more driver modules(e.g., a printer driver) may be executed by another application program(e.g., a word processor).

In use, the installation software may execute a module that performsonline registration. The online registration system may use aregistration server of the manufacturer to provide the user with HTMLformatted pages over the Internet for display on the computer 30. Thesepages include fields to be filled out by the user. For example, thefields may require the user's name, product name, model, and serialnumber. Later purchased options (e.g. additional paper trays or adocument handler) may also be registered. The HTML formatted pages mayalso include a “send button” to be “clicked on” by the user to send thefilled out fields to the registration server in order to complete theonline registration.

Tuming now to FIG. 5, the installation process includes the computer 30sensing an indicia (step S11) of machine 10 including the consumablecomponents and reconfigurable parts. The machine 10 may include avariety of model numbers, part numbers, dates of manufacture, serialnumbers, and configuration information. In addition, the indicia ofmachine 10 may include information such as the geographic location ofthe owner or location of the machine 10. Using the geographicinformation, the user may be routed to a particular sales site based onthe geographic region. For example, users may be routed to a specificretailer, distributor, or company direct sales site depending on thelocation of the user, U.S. or foreign, and regional location within acertain country.

Registering the machine 10 (step S12) includes launching acommunications link to connect to a registration server. Theregistration page is then displayed on the screen. The user fills outthe information fields (e.g., the user name) and clicks on the sendbutton. The completed registration page and the indicia of theperipheral are sent to the registration server. This results ininformation relating to precise configuration and date of the registeredproduct being stored on the registration server.

At the end of online registration process S, a file of additionalinformation directed to the registered machine 10 is downloaded from theserver(S13). The downloaded information is dependent on the peripheralindicia. In this way, the latest information on the registered machine10 may be stored in the computer 30 or the processor, software and logicsystem 16, and the information is directed to the precise configurationand date of the registered product. After the initial registration, usersupport information (e.g., frequently asked questions) may be sent tothe user as support information continues to evolve throughout theproduct's life cycle.

The specific indicia sent during registration may be used to identifyuser support information in the database most useful to the operationand maintenance of a machine having a particular serial number orconfiguration. This permits a user to update user support information atany time.

Conditions in the machine 10 may indicate a need to replace a consumableitem or part (e.g., paper, ink, toner, cartridge, printhead, drum).Using the sensed indicia from registration, an automatic electroniccustomer direct supply ordering mechanism can advantageously identify areplacement part or consumable item that is needed and the proper partcan then be automatically ordered and sent to the user.

For example, a particular condition may be determined or derived fromsensors 12 and machine state 14 via firmware 16 as shown in FIG. 2. Theperipheral condition is sent by firmware 16 over bus 32 to anapplication program running in the computer 30. Moreover, a particularcondition may be determined or derived from sensors 12 and consumablecomponent 11 via processor, software and logic system 16 as shown andfurther described with respect to FIG. 8. The applications program mayindicate the particular condition to the user, for example on a displayscreen.

FIG. 3 depicts an, example of a display screen for a fax, copier,printer, scanner device. Along the top line is the title of theapplication program, for example, “WorkStation” or “Device”. The nextline is a drop down menu bar. The next line includes informationspecific to the exemplary work station or device. The third line, forexample, includes an X indicator to indicate that a status condition hasoccurred that should be reviewed, and a Status Inquiry box with “button”to “click on” and get more information. On the left hand side of thedisplay is a vertical bar with six buttons that is referred to as aservice panel. The remaining portion of the screen is a contextsensitive work area that is dependent on the selected service. Asoftware and user input solution automatically connects the user to apart supplier, a consumable item, manufacturer, or a consumable itemvendor for efficiency, convenience, and timely ordering or inquiry.

The service panel may have any number of buttons. In one embodiment, sixbuttons may be incorporated. For example, the first button may returnthe operator to the home menu screen. The next button accesses a“desktop” directory used by the present application. The next fourbuttons, in succession, access a scanner screen, a fax screen, a copierscreen, and a printer screen.

A variety of menu choices may be depicted in the context sensitive workarea of the home screen. The first menu entry may access a screen toreview or modify system settings. The second menu entry accesses ascreen to access online help services and user support as describedfurther herein. The third menu entry accesses a screen to order suppliesand/or upgrades from the manufacturer or a manufacturer approvedsupplier. The fourth menu entry accesses a digital user manual withhyperlinked information and help files. The fifth menu entry accesses asimplified guided tour and interactive demonstration of the peripheral'soperation. The system setting screen provides for setting up variousdevice settings that would otherwise need hard buttons. Preferably, alink to maintenance and print driver setup screens is provided.

FIG. 4 depicts the work area (i.e., status window) of the status screen.When the status inquiry button is clicked from a screen, the statusscreen window appears. The top of the status screen window includes twoareas in the upper half: an icon display of the machine and a conditionsub-window with a “Show Me” button. The icon shows the device in it'scurrent state. If there is a problem (e.g. paper jam) it will indicatean error state. Pressing the “Show Me” button will run an animation ofthe icon showing how to clear the jam or correct a different problem.The animation data would be streamed from local memory or from awebsite. The user or machine condition can be used to determine whichcontext sensitive help such as text, video, or audio communication touse from the website. A condition, for example, indicated by the X,explained as a “Magenta Ink Level Low”, and two action options aregiven. The first option is ordering another magenta ink cartridge usingthe “Buy Now” button, and the second option is replacing the cartridgeusing the “Show Me” button.

For example, the bottom of the status window may include three areas inthe lower half: a job status sub-window, an ink level sub-window with a“Buy Now” button, and three miscellaneous buttons (system settings as ashort cut to change settings, maintenance button to access a diagnosticsscreen and a close button). The job status sub-window shows three jobsas an example, showing the portion completed. Preferably, some indiciaof the job, such as a file name, is displayed under the portioncompleted. Next to each job is a cancel button that enables the user tooptionally cancel the job.

It should be appreciated that the screens depicted in FIG. 3 and 4 arerepresentative screen embodiments, and are not meant to limit theinvention defined by the claims.

When a user accesses the status window and clicks the “Show Me” button,the application program may access replacement instruction informationrelated to replacing a customer replaceable unit, for example, themagenta ink cartridge. FIG. 6 depicts this “Show Me” process as step S2.In step S21, the application program senses the particular peripheralcondition. The application program running in computer 30 receives theperipheral condition over the bus 32 from the firmware 16 (FIG. 2). Instep S22 (FIG. 6), the application program checks to see if theinformation is already present in the memory of computer 30. If theinformation is not present, the application program in step S23 launchesan embedded or an external communications browser to access themanufacturer's server or vendor's server at an address defined by theperipheral condition. For example, the address might be:

www.manufacturer.com/product/xxx, where “product” is the peripheralindicia or something derivative therefrom, and “xxx” is the peripheralcondition (i.e., magenta ink level low), code, or something derivativetherefrom.

The browser accesses a web page on the manufacturer's server that isidentified by “/product/xxx”. In this way the information provided isnot only specific to the product configuration of the peripheral as itexist in the product's life cycle, but is also specific to theparticular condition sensed. Then, the server provides the browser withadditional information about the condition which is stored temporarilyin the computer's memory (step S24, FIG. 6). The additional informationmay be text, but preferably includes illustrations and even photographs.It may include audio clips (e.g., using .wav format) and it may includevideo segments using any of the available formats. A goal is to make itlook to the user as if a technician on the other side of the computerscreen is showing the user how to replace the magenta cartridge in theuser's specific machine.

Audio and video clips require large storage areas. While it may bepossible to store in the computer's memory a complete audio and videoclip for several conditions, it is unlikely that all possible conditionswill be economically storable in the computer's memory, althoughimprovements in technology may solve this problem. However, amanufacturer's server, may be much larger and may include clips for allpossible conditions, for each configuration of each product line that issupported.

In step S25, the additional information is retrieved from memory and instep S26 that information is displayed to the user. It should beappreciated that the memory of the computer 30 may include an area thatis to be used to save the most frequently used “Show Me” files. Forexample, a memory area large enough to store 10 average sized “ShowMe”files may be reserved in the computer's memory (e.g., a disk memory).A criteria for managing this memory area is established to fill thememory area when there is sufficient space for a new “Show Me” file, andto delete a past “Show Me” file to make room for a new “Show Me” filewhen needed dependent on the age of the file and the product cycle.

The server help database for a product line with a greater number ofinstalled products will mature faster than for a product line with fewernumber of installed products. The user has available information aboutthe date of manufacture of the particular peripheral configuration thathis own peripheral has, and this can be used to determine the timeelapsed since manufacture as a suggestion of how many peripherals ofthis configuration have been sold. However, the manufacturer is inpossession of actual information on how peripheral of the particularconfiguration have been sold, and thus how old a user help file needs tobe to be consider stale. A combination of user and manufacturerinformation may be used to set a “stale threshold” for deleting a staleuser help file. A second stale threshold may also be used in step S22.If the information stored in memory is available but regarded stale byaccording to the second threshold, step S22 may proceed to steps S23-S26anyway to download the latest update on the user help information.

The user can click on a “maintenance” button. On doing so, a maintenancescreen appears, and the user can select and execute any of several selfdiagnostic routines. The installation software installs a diagnosticmodule that is more or less and executive that calls very specificsub-modules to test each part of the machine. The specific diagnosticoptions depend on the specific configuration of the peripheral and aredownloaded from server 40 in the exact same manner as user helpinformation is downloaded. The present invention benefits from the useof the indicia and condition to specify a URL address that exactlymatches the user's peripheral and condition. In this way, diagnosticsmay be performed quicker. Then, when a failed part is isolated, the “BuyNow” button appears and a replacement part may be ordered immediately orautomatically as discussed below. The user may use the “Show Me” buttonto see how to replace the part when the part arrives.

When a user clicks on the “Buy Now”” button, either from FIG. 4 or froma maintenance screen, the application program enters purchase ordersequence S3 (FIG. 7). In FIG. 7, when the buy now button is clicked, theapplication program has already sensed the peripheral indicia S31 (as inS11, FIG. 5) and the peripheral condition S32 (as in S21, FIG. 6). Thenat S33, the application program launches a browser to access a purchaseorder page or screen from the manufacturer's server 40 based on theperipheral indicia and the detected peripheral condition. The purchaseorder screen is automatically partially filled out at server 40 with thepart number to be ordered based on the peripheral indicia and condition.At S34, the browser displays the screen to the user. At S35, the userselects such online purchasing options as method of shipment, payment onaccount or by credit card, etc. For example, the user may enter a creditcard authorization and request overnight express shipment. When the userhas filled out the purchase order screen, at S36 the browser sends thepurchase order to the manufacturer's server (40, FIG. 2). Altematively,when the user has filled out the purchase order screen, at S36 theapplication launches an e-mail module to send the purchase order data tothe manufacturer's server (40, FIG. 2). When the purchase order isreceived at server 40, the order is confirmed on the user's browserscreen or the order is confirmed by a responsive e-mail.

Alternatively, the user personal information (e.g., name, address,shipment method, etc.) may be automatically entered by the application'sprogram. For example, this information may be entered and saved incomputer 30 during online registration and modified, if necessary, usingthe modify settings screen. Step S35 automatically enters the userpersonal information (including account or credit card numbers), andstep S36 is a screen with a single button to confirm the desire topurchase. The user click on the buy now button, then clicks on theconfirm purchase order button (step S36) and is e-mailed a purchase orconfirmation and receives the part the next day (depending on shipmentinstructions).

The condition may be used to indicate when a consumable has beenexhausted (e.g., paper tray empty) or a consumable has reach apredetermined threshold (e.g., magenta ink level low). Preferably, thecondition indicates when the consumable has reached a threshold in timeto reorder before the consumable is completely exhausted.

In an alternative embodiment, the application module has a monitormodule that is called each time a job is sent to the printer to trackhow many pages have been printed and/or how much ink has been expendedin each color since the last time the consumable has been replenished.The monitor module includes an “inventory sub-module” to recorded eachtime the consumable has been replenished and to deduct consumption ofthe consumable as the jobs are printed. The monitor module causes anindication of a status condition to be displayed when the consumablesare expected to be below a threshold based on the inventory sub-module.The user can then navigate through the screens to the status screen andorder more of the consumable by clicking the “Buy Now” button.

The server 40 may forward an order to a supplier local to the user'slocation or the server 40 may process the order and ship directly to theuser. Server 40 knows the address of the user from the purchase order.With pre-arranged contracts with networks of office supply retailers andmail order houses, server 40 is kept aware of the level of inventory onhand at the retailer, and can confirm availability before sending theshipment order to the retailer.

Furthermore, using “cookie technology” developed for browsers, theapplication program examines the cookies for office supply retailersthat the user has already used for supplies (e.g., when the user buyssupplies online from the retailer). Such retailer can become a preferreddistributor for the manufacturer's supplies. If accounts are establishedwith the retailers that carry the desired part, the application programmay inquire of the user at the time the user clicks on the “BuyNow”button whether the user want to order from the preferred retailer onaccount.

Turning now to FIG. 8 is a system for automatic electronic ordering of aconsumable component 11 for a marking apparatus 8. Illustrated is anexample of a system including a marking apparatus 8 and a remote outputdevice 50 linked together by a communication system. The markingapparatus 8 may include an output device 21 such as a monitor ordisplay, a consumable component 11, a sensor 12, and a processor,software algorithm, and logic system 16. The output device 21 may beused to communicate with a user or a remote output device 50.Alternatively, communications from the marking apparatus 8 may bypassthe output device 21. Moreover, the output device 21, sensor 12, andprocessor, software algorithms, and logic system 16 may be locatedexternally from the marking apparatus 8, for example, in an associateddevice or in a remote configuration which communicates with theconsumable component 11. The marking apparatus 8 or a remote outputdevice 50 may regularly or intermittently interrogate the consumablecomponent 11 for information and then process and communicate suchinformation to another remote output device 50 or server 40. Thecommunication of information may operate via a hard wired connection ora wireless system. The information may be in machine readable format orhuman readable format. The marking apparatus 8 may include an Internetbrowser for communication.

A modem 34, Internet connection 36, or server 40 may be used toelectronically communicate the information from the marking apparatus 8to the remote output device 50 regarding the condition of the consumablecomponent 11 and automatically initiate an electronic order for areplacement of the consumable component 11. The threshold conditions ofthe consumable component 11 may include a measure, timing, or data suchas: (1) supply; (2) wear; (3) usage; (4) rate of depletion; (5) rate ofwear; (5) predicted date of depletion of supply; (5) predicted date ofneed of consumable component 11; (6) delivery schedule of consumablecomponent; and (7) statistical data for consumable component 11.

The marking apparatus 8 may electronically initiate a purchase offer,electronically receive an acceptance of the purchase offer, andelectronically form a contract with a supplier for purchase of thereplaceable part or consumable component 11. The electronic transactionmay include use of an electronic signature using, for example, digitaltechnology. The system may be used in copy, printing, xerographic,electrostatographic, and marking apparatus. The consumable part mayinclude a ink, ink cartridge, toner, toner cartridge, paper,photoreceptor cartridge, and printhead.

Moreover, the marking apparatus 8 device may communicate informationrelating to the condition of the consumable component 11 to a seconddevice, supplier, user, or third party. The information may relate to:(1) a present condition of the consumable component 11; (2) a predictionof a future condition of the consumable component 11; (3) an inquiryrelating to the consumable component 11; or (4) a purchase order of theconsumable component 11. The marking apparatus 8 may predict a futurecondition of the consumable component 11 prior to sending a signal. Themarking apparatus 8 may be programmed to communicate an offer topurchase a consumable component 11 and receive an acceptance of an offerto purchase a consumable component 11 prior to occurrence of certaincondition. The consumable component 11 may be received by the user andinstalled in the marking apparatus 8 between occurrence of certainconditions. The marking apparatus 8 may request delivery of a consumablecomponent 11 to a specified location. The marking apparatus 8 mayinclude identified indicia relating to purchase information for thereplaceable part such that the logic then automatically initiates anoffer to purchase the replaceable part. The indicia may includes amethod of shipment, shipping address, phone number, address, method ofpayment, authorization code, and credit card account number.

The system advantageously automates ordering of consumable supplies andreplaceable parts for a marking apparatus 8, analog or digital. An ordermay be initiated based on a condition code indicating that theconsumable component 11 has or will soon reach a predeterminedthreshold. Then, the system automatically sends an offer to purchase thereplacement. This system includes sensing or predicting a condition in amarking apparatus, sending that condition to a computer or processor,and launching a communications to a second device to electronicallyoffer to purchase the replacement part. The marking apparatus 8 mayinclude all or part of the features and functions as previouslydescribed for FIGS. 2-7.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with variousembodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, andvariations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications, and variations and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one consumablecomponent adapted to be replaceable in the apparatus; at least onesensor in communication with the consumable component; at least oneprocessor and software logic system for identifying a condition in theat least one consumable component; and at least one wirelesscommunications link associated with the at least one sensor and at leastone processor and software logic system; wherein at least one of the atleast one sensor and the at least one processor and software logicsystem are adapted to wirelessly communicate with the at least oneconsumable component and automatically wirelessly electronicallycommunicate an authorization code for authentication and an electronicoffer to purchase to a third party for a replacement of the at least oneconsumable component to at least one of an electronic address and a URLaddress defined by a condition of the at least one consumable componentfor a replacement of the at least one consumable component.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor and softwarelogic system includes instructions for occurrence of thresholdconditions relating to the consumable component, the thresholdconditions including at least one of: (1) supply; (2) wear; (3) usage;(4) rate of depletion; (5) rate of wear; (5) predicted date of depletionof supply; (5) predicted date of need of consumable component; (6)delivery schedule of consumable component; and (7) statistical data forconsumable component.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising anoutput device adapted to communicate with the at least one communicationlink and receive a communication relating to at least one of a presentcondition and a prediction of a future condition of the at least oneconsumable component for use by at least one of a user, supplier,manufacturer, and third party.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein theapparatus and electronic order system is adapted to electronicallyinitiate and form a contract with a supplier for purchase of aconsumable component using an electronic signature.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 4 wherein the apparatus is at least one of a copy device, printingdevice, xerographic device, and marking device.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the electronic offer to purchase is in at least one of ahuman readable and computer readable format.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5wherein the at least one consumable component is at least one of an inkcartridge, toner cartridge, photoreceptor cartridge, paper, andprinthead.
 8. An imaging apparatus comprising: at least one consumablepart, the at least one consumable part having a first condition uponinstallation, at least one intermediate condition after use, and a thirdcondition when a replacement of the at least one consumable part issubstantially necessary; and a software and sensor system wirelesslyassociated with the at least one consumable part for: (a) electronicmonitoring of the condition of the at least one consumable part; and (b)sending a signal relating to the condition of the at least oneconsumable part to a device; wherein the software and sensor system isadapted to wirelessly electronically communicating an electronicsignature and an offer to purchase a replacement of the at least oneconsumable part at an occurrence of at least one of the first condition,intermediate condition, and third condition to at least one of anelectronic address and a URL address defined by a condition of the atleast one consumable part for a replacement of the at least oneconsumable part.
 9. The imaging apparatus of claim 8 wherein thesoftware and sensor system is adapted to predict a future condition ofthe at least one consumable part prior to electronically conveying theoffer to purchase.
 10. The imaging apparatus of claim 8 wherein thedevice is adapted to communicate an offer to purchase at least oneconsumable part prior to an occurrence of the third condition.
 11. Theimaging apparatus of claim 8 wherein the imaging apparatus is adapted torequest delivery of the at least one consumable part to a specifiedlocation.
 12. The imaging apparatus of claim 10 wherein an acceptance ofthe offer to purchase the at least one consumable part occurs prior tothe third condition.
 13. The imaging apparatus of claim 8 wherein the atleast one consumable part is delivered to the user between the firstcondition and the third condition.
 14. The imaging apparatus of claim 8wherein the electronic communication includes at least one of: (1) apresent condition of the at least one consumable part; (2) a predictionof a future condition of the at least one consumable part; (3) aninquiry relating to the at least one consumable part; and (4) an offerto purchase the at least one consumable part.
 15. A xerographic imagingsystem comprising: a xerographic apparatus including a developmentstation and at least one replaceable part; and a processor and wirelesscommunications link associated with the xerographic apparatus; whereinthe processor includes logic and is adapted to: (a) monitor a conditionof the replaceable part associated with the xerographic apparatus; and(b) automatically wirelessly initiate an authorization code forauthentication and an electronic offer to purchase a replacement partfor the replaceable part upon identification of a threshold condition inthe replaceable part to at least one of an electronic address and a URLaddress defined by a condition of the at least one replaceable part fora replacement of the at least one replaceable part.
 16. The imagingsystem of claim 15 wherein the communication of the offer is madethrough at least one of a modem, Internet, and a processor.
 17. Aperipheral apparatus comprising: a marking apparatus including a sensorand software system to electronically sense a condition in theperipheral apparatus and to electronically communicate informationrelating to the sensed condition to an address defined by the condition,the sensor and software system including logic adapted to initiate apurchase offer defined by the condition and provide an electronicsignature to authenticate the purchase offer to at least one of anelectronic address and a URL address defined by a condition of at leastone consumable component for a replacement of the at least oneconsumable component.
 18. An imaging apparatus comprising: developmentstation; at least one replaceable part in the imaging apparatus; and asensor and software system adapted to electronically sense a conditionin the at least one replaceable part and to electronically communicateinformation relating to the condition to an address defined by thecondition, the sensor and software system including; (a) indiciarelating to at least one of; (1) method of shipment, (2) shippingaddress, (3) phone number; (4) address, (5) method of payment; (6)authorization code; (7) credit card account number; and (8) returnelectronic address for the at least one replaceable part; and (b) logicto automatically initiate an offer to purchase; wherein the imagingapparatus is adapted to automatically electronically communicate to athird party an offer to purchase and an electronic signature to at leastone of an electronic address and URL address defined by the conditionfor a replacement part for the at least one replaceable part uponoccurrence of the defined condition.
 19. The imaging apparatus of claim18 wherein the at least one replaceable part is at least one of ink, inkcartridge, toner, toner cartridge, photoreceptor cartridge, andprinthead.
 20. A cartridge for use in an electrostatographic apparatus,the cartridge comprising: a housing; and a sensor and software systemassociated with the housing, the sensor and software system adapted toelectronically identify a present condition and a predicted futurecondition in the cartridge and to electronically communicate informationrelating to an identified condition to an address defined by theidentified condition, the sensor and software system adapted toautomatically electronically offer to purchase a replacement for thecartridge including an electronic signature to authenticate the offerupon identification of a threshold identified condition in the cartridgeto at least one of an electronic address and a URL address defined by acondition of the cartridge for a replacement of the cartridge.
 21. Anelectrostatographic apparatus comprising: a photoreceptor adapted to bereplaceable in an electrostatographic apparatus; at least one sensor incommunication with the photoreceptor; at least one processor andsoftware logic system for identifying a condition in the photoreceptor;and at least one communications link associated with the at least onesensor and at least one processor and software logic system; wherein atleast one of the at least one sensor and the at least one processor andsoftware logic system are adapted to communicate with the photoreceptorand automatically electronically communicate an electronic offer topurchase to a URL address defined by an occurrence of a thresholdcondition of wear in the photoreceptor for replacement of thephotoreceptor.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the at least onecommunications link is wireless.
 23. An apparatus comprising at leastone consumable component adapted to be replaceable in the apparatus; atleast one sensor in communication with the consumable component; atleast one processor and software logic system for identifying acondition in the at least one consumable component; and at least onewireless communications link associated with the at least one sensor andat least one processor and software logic system; wherein at least oneof the at least one sensor and the at least one processor and softwarelogic system are adapted to wirelessly communicate with the at least oneconsumable component and automatically electronically communicate anelectronic offer and an electronic signature to at least one of anelectronic address and a URL address defined by a condition of the atleast one consumable component for a replacement of the at least oneconsumable component.